SHANGHAI, Sept. 13 -- SONG Xiaoli scored the winning goal with less than two minutes left in regulation, lifting China to a 3-2 win over Denmark in its World Cup Group D opener in Wuhan yesterday.

Song, who came off bench in the 58th minute, sealed a game that saw two pairs of back-to-back goals. Her soaring, long-range shot sent Danish players crumpling to the ground in anguish, just seconds after they had pulled even on Cathrine Paaske Sorensen's header.

The win heightens the home crowd's expectations ahead of China's upcoming game against Brazil, which is favored to win Group D.

China struck first in the 30th on a freekick after Bi Yan was tripped at the top of the box. Denmark keeper Heidi Johansen was not able to see Li Jie's shot through the wall and couldn't react until the ball was in the net.

Bi made it 2-0 in the 50th, firing off a long shot on the run. But the widening margin distracted the Chinese players, and they allowed Denmark to answer just one minute later when Anne Dot Eggers Nielsen drilled in a header off a corner kick.

By spreading the ball onto the sides of the field, the No. 6-ranked Danes kept the Chinese on the run. They were in possession of the ball more than half the time, 54 percent, but were outshot 16-11.

Despite the win, the game revealed weaknesses in China's offense. Striker Han Duan created several plays using her speed and some crowd-pleasing fakes and backheel passes, but her 19-year-old counterpart Ma Xiaoxu was a disappointment.

In the second half the hyped "Hanma" duo played a sloppy game, frequently losing the ball to Danish players and showing bad judgment.

China was once one of the world's top teams but has slipped to No. 11. Following four consecutive losses at this year's Algarve Cup, the "Steel Roses" turned to a foreign coach for the first time, hiring Marika Domanski-Lyfors from Sweden.

The home crowd of 50,800 cheered and sang tirelessly throughout the match, accompanied by drums, cymbals and horns. At one end, fans passed around a giant replica of the Chinese jersey, and it fluttered from one side of the section to the other.

The Danes have beaten China only once, back in 2001.

In Hangzhou, Norway overran a tiring Canada in the second half to win 2-1 in its Group C opener, getting second-half goals from Ragnhild Gulbrandsen and Ane Stangeland Horpestad.

The No 4-ranked Norway - former world champion - was given a good test by Canada for much of the game, but eventually dominated the second period.

The first half hour was bereft of clear chances, and the game was only enlivened when Canada got the ball into the net in the 32nd, but it was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

But a minute later, Canada did go in front. Christine Sinclair made a run through the area that drew defenders, and the ball spilled loose to an unmarked Candace Chapman to stroke home.

Norway drew level seven minutes into the second half as Gulbrandsen rose between two defenders to meet a cross from the right with a header.

Norway dominated possession in the second half. Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod made three impressive reflex saves to keep the score tied, but she could do nothing to stop Norway's winner in the 81st. A corner from the right was headed on goal, blocked on the line by a defender, but Norway captain Ane Stangeland Horpestad was quickest to react to the loose ball and stabbed it home.